Coaches & Staff

Alan Johnson, Athletic Director

Alan started a ski/bike shop - touring center when he was at New England College hosting a number of Dannon Series XC races. After an unsuccessful attempt at making 1980 Olympic NC Team, he started coaching Nordic skiing. He was the head coach of the Winter Park jump program from 1980-84. For the next four years, he was the head coach of the NYSEF Nordic programs, based in Lake Placid. He also served as a part-time coach for the US Ski Team in both ski jumping and NC, and became USST’s head coach for NC from 1988-91.

From 1992-96, Alan was the USST Nordic Program Director, and served as the team’s head coach for ski jumping in 1996-97. He then accepted the position as Salt Lake Olympic Committee’s Project Manager for ski jumping and Nordic combined from 1997-2002, and stayed through 2003 as the Utah Olympic Park’s director of Nordic and freestyle facilities. In 2003, he became involved with the construction industry, and in 2006 formed Ptarmigan Property Services, a Park City property management company.

In 2006, Alan was instrumental in the establishment of Ski Jumping Development USA, which became the support organization for the men’s elite team, known as Project X. In 2010, he was one of the founding members of USA Ski Jumping. He’s the father of Anders, a member of the USASJ team, and Alissa, who’s a member of the Women’s Ski Jumping USA elite team. He has maintained his FIS licenses as a TD for both ski jumping and Nordic Combined.

Clint Jones, Head Coach

When Clint was asked about goals for the upcoming season, he said “My goal for the team is to show the world that we can consistently compete at a high level internationally. And by the end of the 2013 winter, I'm sure we will be able to turn some heads in the ski jumping community. I’m very excited to see how I can help this talented group of young athletes. I believe that we have the potential to make the USA Ski Jumping Team stronger than it has been in many years.” Clint was born Oct 5, 1984 in Monroe WI, and currently resides in Park City UT. His first coach was Todd Wilson of the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club. He competed for 17 years, and became the youngest USSA National champion in any ski discipline. He was a 2002 and 2006 Olympian, a member of seven World Championship Teams, and placed 2nd overall in the 2002 Summer Grand Prix. He’s in his fifth year of coaching. When not skiing, Clint enjoys riding his mountain bike and playing guitar. He’s a fan of the Denver Broncos, dating back to the days of Elway, Davis, and McCaffrey.

Why does he like ski jumping? “In no other sport can you fly over the length of 2 football fields and ski away ... without a parachute.”

Bine Norcic, World Cup/International Coach

Joining USA Ski Jumping in 2013 is well known Slovenian ski jumping trainer Bine Norcic to fill the new position of European based coach for the USASJ, serving withHead USA Coach Clint Jones. Norcic, who grew up in Kranj, SLO, graduated from the University of Ljubljana in 2010 with a degree as a Professor of Physical Education and has served as coach for the National Jumping Team of Turkey from 2007-2013.

He has also served as a personal coach for ski jumping star Jernej Damjan of Slovenia and has been the Slovenian National B Team coach working alongside Ari Pekka Nikkola. He was also part of the Slovenian National Team as a ski jumper from 1992-2004, where he won Continental Cups three times. He is also the son of the legendary late coach Bogdan Norcic.

Bine Norcic commented that he is very excited to accept this position with the growing USA program saying, "I'll put all of my efforts and share my 11 years of coaching experience with a group of young, talented jumpers who have the support of an enthusiastic team, and they have what it takes for all around success. It must be said that working with Team USA is probably the greatest challenge and honor that any international coach could have."

Blake Hughes, Development Coach

A recent graduate of the University of Utah, with a degree in Commercial Recreation Management, Blake Hughes brings a host of talents to his position as an Assistant Coach for USA Ski Jumping. Working under Head U.S. Coach Clint Jones, the position is unique in that it is a joint position conducted in concert with the Utah Olympic Park, where Blake will also provide his coaching skills.

He began his ski jumping career when he was seven with the National Sports Foundation in Park City and the Park City Nordic Ski Club. His sister Abby followed in his footsteps and is also a ski jumper on the VISA-USA Women's ski jumping team. Hughes best international result came early in his career when he placed an impressive 12th in an FIS Continential Cup when he was but 15 years-old.

Hughes competed in ski jumping for 15 years, ending his career in 2009. He started coaching the following summer and this year marks his fifth coaching season. Commenting on the position, he said, "I am really excited to have this opportunity to work with Clint and Bine to further my development as a coach and to help contribute to the development and growth of the team. I am very excited."

Jessica Tidswell, PT

Jessica Tidswell is a physical therapist and owner of Summit Sports Performance and Rehab Center (S.P.A.R.C.). With numerous degrees and certifications, Jessica contributes her vast knowledge in athlete performance, sport, and the training techniques to every level of her work. Jessica has been training USA Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined athletes and coaches to perform at an elite level. Her many years of professional experience have encompassed all areas of sports medicine, including Paralympic sport development, with emphasis on the whole athlete.

Jess resides in Park City, UT with her husband and numerous furry friends.

Signe Jordet, Director

In April of 2012, Jordet began overseeing a host of projects including sponsorship development, annual giving initiatives, event planning and marketing.

She is a graduate of Minnesota's Gustavus Adolphus College and did her post-graduate work at Springfield College. No stranger to the nordic scene, she has lived in Sweden and speaks fluent Swedish.

Jordet brings a wealth of experience to her post including working with ESPN and the X Games, the AFC Asian Cup in Doha, Qatar, and PUMA North America. She has traveled extensively and is helping USASJ move enthusiastically forward in achieving plans that are helping increase both funding and visibility of the program.